DFL legislators set to oversee Minnesota state colleges and universities says the school system’s request for a boost in state funding may be unrealistic.

The legislator, Rep. Gene Pelowski, Jr., and his counterpart, Sen. Terri Bonoff, also urged caution in possible tuition increases at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, or MnSCU, the system that includes St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical and Community College.

In a budget request to state lawmakers approved earlier this month, the MnSCU Board of Trustees asked for $97 million in additional state funding in the budget cycle that begins next summer. MnSCU leaders also proposed in the request to increase tuition by about 3 percent and to provide a wage and benefit increase of about 3 percent to MnSCU faculty and staff.

But Pelowski, DFL-Winona, says he’s skeptical about the request. Pelowski was named chair of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee after DFLers reclaimed control of the chamber in the Nov. 6 elections.

The quote is a step in the right direction for those of us who think MnSCU is fast becoming a thing of the past. Still, it’s a far cry from being a fait accompli.

MnSCU’s lobbyists will pressure Sen. Bonoff and Rep. Pelowski. They’re certain to get calls from MnSCU Chancellor Rosenstone and the university presidents, too.

Still, with spending certain to increase and with the University of Minnesota certain to ask for a major spending increase, MnSCU might be a candidate for a trimming in their request. Either way, SCSU is likely to get a significant trim. Their enrollment is down 4.5%.

The type of overhaul that’s coming, though, won’t happen until the higher ed bubble bursts, which I wrote about in this article. That day is coming, though. It’s a matter of when, not if.

4 Responses to “Will DFL overhaul MnSCU?”

MnScu could and should be cut significantly in view of the obvious oversupply of post-secondary education in MN. Yes, that means closing a number of campuses no longer needed. It should also end “jobless” degree programs, like Gary’s favorite: Eco-Tourism.

Rex, I agree! The tuition and fees I pay to SCSU have gone up every single year I have been there and yet somehow the SCSU administration always wants to put up more buildings, even when they are not necessary (such as Coborn Plaza Apartments, which is where I lived the first year it was open). Speaking of the Coborn Plaza Apartments, they are not even full!! I don’t understand how SCSU can construct new buildings rather than renovate existing ones. To skeptical eyes, it just doesn’t make sense!

Floral design jobs in Duluth? Okay!! What about the demand for aviation workers in Duluth?

“Besides creating a total of about 225 well-paying, skilled jobs, AAR’s new maintenance, repair and overhaul base servicing Air Canada’s fleet of 89 Airbus A320 series jets is expected to boost the local aviation industry.”